The trials and tribulations of Saints fifth-round pick Adrian McPherson

Adrian McPherson pleaded no contests to four felonies and two misdemeanors in July 2003, including theft, forgery, gambling and passing bad checks. After reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors, he was sentenced to probation, community service, 90 days at a work camp and ordered to pay restitution.

Only one charge went to trial -- the misdemeanor online gambling case, which ended in a hung jury.

Following is a breakdown of those cases, in addition to others that he was under investigation for, according to police and court documents. All of them occurred between January and November of 2002.

Stolen check

McPherson eventually confessed to stealing a blank check from an office desk drawer at R&R Truck & Auto Accessories in Tallahassee, Fla., then forging it for $3,500 and writing it out to friend Melvin Capers Jr., who cashed it.

McPherson originally claimed that he found the blank check on the floor and threw it away in Capers' wastebasket without filling it out. He signed a sworn legal affidavit to that effect before telling the truth to FSU officials and turning himself in to police nine days after the incident occurred.

McPherson was charged with both felony and misdemeanor theft, forgery and uttering (or knowingly circulating) a forged document. McPherson was kicked off the Florida State football team for lying to coaches and athletic department members about the incident. FSU officials declined comment for this story.

McPherson said he understood that the school did what had to be done and that he has maintained a decent relationship with his former team, even talking to Coach Bobby Bowden before this April's draft.

Gambling

Soon after his arrest, allegations surfaced that McPherson had been involved in sports wagering, dating back to January of 2002. During a three-month joint investigation by the Florida State University Police Department, Tallahassee Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, at least seven friends, teammates and FSU equipment managers told authorities they witnessed McPherson making bets of up to $1,000 at a time.

Five witnesses said they saw McPherson placing bets on college basketball through a bookie in early 2002 and that he was cut off after his debt reached $8,000.

Then in the fall, McPherson began gambling online, according to two of his friends, Capers and Otis Livingston. They testified that they placed bets with him through the gambling service SBG Global. Livingston testified that they all made bets two or three times per week on college football, NFL and NBA games, and that McPherson bet on Florida State to win every week.

Both men also testified that McPherson made sure none of the accounts was in his name, because he knew he could get in trouble with the NCAA. Records indicated McPherson's cell phone was used to call SBG Global at least four times.

McPherson was not tried for betting with the bookie because the statute of limitations had run out. The online gambling trial ended in a hung jury, although the jury voted 5-1 to convict.

McPherson maintains that he has never gambled on any sports. He said his mistake was hanging around with people who gambled. He also said he was upset Livingston and Capers admitted to gambling but were never charged because of their cooperation in his investigation and trial.

Passing bad checks

McPherson was charged with felony theft for passing worthless bank checks. He cashed five checks for $76 apiece at two area grocery stores, all of which bounced.

McPherson said he did not deliberately bounce the checks but that he did not know how to properly manage his bank account. His bank records from the fall of 2002 show a string of overdraft fees and charges for insufficient funds. Both McPherson and his mother, Henrietta, said the bank statements went home to his parents and that she would constantly remind him to keep better track of his account balance.

Stealing credit cards

McPherson was accused on at least three occasions of using other people's credit cards to purchase clothing, shoes and jewelry without permission. Twice, he was accused of using credit card numbers to purchase items off the Internet. Another student told authorities and Florida State officials that he suspected McPherson had stolen his credit card out of his room and used it at a store in a mall to purchase two new suits, which he saw McPherson wearing.

McPherson denies the charges and said he would not have been able to use somebody else's credit card in a Tallahassee mall, where he was well-known and would have been recognized. Charges were never filed in the case.

Although I am not opposed to giving second chances to anyone who makes a judgement mistake in their youth this guy seems to have had several opportunities to make ammends and straighten himself out. Now here he is in the NFL where our children will view him as a role model or atleast some sort of hero (if he is successful) in addition to he is an instant millionare. What about the honest, clean and hard working guy who is selling hotdogs outside the superdome on Sundays? No one will even notice him! I can't help but feel cheated by this type of occurance. Seems as though as long as you are a athelete (a good one) all is forgiven and your fortunes await you. What message is being sent? The justice system is loaded with guys sitting in prison or other type of facilities for doing less than this guy has but because they aren't atheletes no one gave them second, third or forth chances. I just hope this guy really turns his life around and actually does something to impact the youth with his lessons learned....assuming he has learned any.

WhoDat

07-26-2005 08:55 AM

mmm. Yes, I feel deeply saddened by the state of the world as well. Out of curiosity, how many Hot Dog Vendor posters do you have framed on your wall? How many signed autographs of the Coors Light guy do you have? B/c those guys, Mr. Hot Dog Vendor and Johnny Coors Light, they are really doing the noble work of the world today. Where would we be without the opportunity to have encased meat thrown at us from the aisle? What would we do if we actually had to get up to get our own beers? It's a scary thought.

saintz08

07-26-2005 10:24 AM

Quote:

mmm. Yes, I feel deeply saddened by the state of the world as well. Out of curiosity, how many Hot Dog Vendor posters do you have framed on your wall? How many signed autographs of the Coors Light guy do you have? B/c those guys, Mr. Hot Dog Vendor and Johnny Coors Light, they are really doing the noble work of the world today. Where would we be without the opportunity to have encased meat thrown at us from the aisle? What would we do if we actually had to get up to get our own beers? It's a scary thought.

WhoDat will talk it up until , Amac tosses a game or two to pay off a gambling debt .

Tobias-Reiper

07-26-2005 02:13 PM

..it is not just about being an athlete... there are countless athletes that do not get a first chance, much less second chances...

..it is about how much money you can generate for a corporation doing what you do...

...how many tickets are sold because you are playing ...
...how many Nikes are sold with your name on them ...
...how many jerseys are sold with your number on them ...
...how many people turn on the TV to watch you play and see all of those peripheral ads all over the stadium...

.. that is what it is all about... if you can generate tons of money for someone, you'll get special treatment no matter what you do or where you go...

... guess how many hot dogs that vendor would have to sell to generate the profit one authentic Michael Vick jersey generates...

JOESAM2002

07-26-2005 02:29 PM

Hot dogs? You want to sell hot dogs? Give the endorsement to Sullivan! His tag line can be "Body by Ballpark!"

WhoDat

07-26-2005 03:24 PM

LMAO. Now that's funny Joe.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saintz08

WhoDat will talk it up until , Amac tosses a game or two to pay off a gambling debt .

How much you wanna bet that doesn't happen? :)

saintz08

07-26-2005 05:03 PM

Quote:

How much you wanna bet that doesn't happen?

Are you incinuating Amac would not get a fair shot to start because of Brooks favoritism or his past gambling problems ??

coastalkid

07-28-2005 08:08 AM

some very interesting responses to my original reply to this. I agree with most of what has been said and believe me I understand the money aspect of this. It is very true, and sad, that if he sells tickets, draws attention of advertisers and performs that his money will come. Maybe that is what makes America such a great place. I am also happy for the "another chance" and sorry for the guys who don't get so much as a first chance. But I would like to point out Deuce McAllister as a role model for our youth. He has done everything the right way or so it seems. The same can not be said for Amac. I hope someone like Deuce can take this guy under his wing and make a difference with him and in turn he can make something positive out of his fame and fortune. I do admit I am skeptical about his doing so. He just doesn't seem to have the character or desire to be anything other than just a selfish athelete. I hope he proves me wrong and becomes the biggest big brother in our community. It's all about the kids and who they look up to.....

The body by ballpark was absolutely the most humorous thing I have read here in a long time. That was funny I don't care who you are.....